SMYRNA — Republican Hunter Hill has won his battle to unseat incumbent Democrat Doug Stoner Tuesday in the hotly contested race for the state senate in District 6. The Smyrna district was redrawn this year to include Republican-rich Buckhead.

With 100 percent of the districts reporting this morning, Hill won 35,299 votes (52%) over Stoner’s 32,233 votes (48%).

But Stoner lead among Cobb voters. Stoner won 20,412 votes (59%) in Cobb, to Hill’s 14,312 votes (41%).

Early Wednesday, neither man was willing to declare victory.

Said Stoner: “In spite of Republican leadership efforts to gerrymander my district to gain a supermajority in the State Senate, the returns we have seen tonight indicate bipartisan support for a pragmatic, common-sense problem solving.

“I remain hopeful voters will return me to the Senate. Otherwise, a GOP supermajority becomes more than my race. It means that some two million citizens’ voices will be silenced around Georgia. Good ideas for solving the failing economy of our state should come from everywhere — Republicans and Democrats,” Stoner said.

Hill, likewise, said he was hopeful.

“We’re very encouraged by the results so far,” Hill said. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of support from our volunteers and the voters. I’m hopeful for the opportunity to serve the district.”

Returns showed the two neck-and-neck throughout the night.

Hill is a West Point graduate who saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army airborne ranger. He is a rising star in the state GOP, having the support of Gov. Nathan Deal and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, of east Cobb.

He is the director of new business development at security firm SecurAmerica, and he and wife, Shannan, have two children, Hunter Jr., 2, and Annie, 1.

It was a harsh, if not surprising upset for Stoner, who is finishing his fourth term in the state senate. He previously served in the state House.

Stoner, who is employed at Croy Engineering, briefly appeared at the Cobb Democrats’ party Tuesday night.

The two were also close in the race for campaign cash. According to reports filed with the state, Hill had $134,350 on hand as of Nov. 1, while Stoner had $131,055.

Teasley keeps Ga. House seat

Republican State Rep. Sam Teasley, of Marietta, will keep his desk under the Gold Dome when the Legislature convenes Jan. 14.

Incumbent Democrat Terry Johnson of Marietta did not seek re-election.

Smith, a teacher at an east Cobb Middle School, said he was humbled by the voters’ decision.

“This shows how hard we worked to earn the votes of every voter in this district,” Smith said, adding that his team included friends, family, the American Federation for Children, community volunteers and an Osborne High School student.

His campaign was rocked, however, when his sister, Jennifer, endured drastic surgery to save her life.

The candidate said he was inspired by her example.

“My sister is the epitome of never giving up,” Smith said. “She continued to remain positive. I believe she gave me the extra energy I needed to go out there and campaign even though I had a long day at work.”

The east Cobb middle school science teacher and his wife, Ryisha, have two children, Aniyah and Christian.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history education from Kennesaw State University.

His campaign-finance report filed with the state indicated he had $1,100 cash on hand as of Nov. 1. He owes $750 in state ethics fines for failing to file the required disclosures in 2008 when he ran against District 33 State Rep. Don Wix.

Republican Daniell said he ran the best campaign he could, but wished Smith well.

“I feel I was a candidate of honesty and integrity,” Daniell said. “I’m disappointed that we were not able to prevail. … I hope the winner serves the people of the 41st District well.”

Daniell, 70, is a retired building inspector. He’s not held elective office, but has served in varying capacities in the GOP. Daniell’s cash on hand as of Nov. 1 was $24,259, according to his finance report.

Carson wins House District 46

Republican John K. Carson Jr., 41, handily won election to his first full term representing northeast Cobb and a portion of Cherokee County in Georgia House District 46.

Among voters in the Cobb portion of the district, Carson won 14,038 votes (73%) to Westphal’s 5,104 votes (27%).

“I am pleased and humbled by the confidence the voters in northeast Cobb and southeast Cherokee have placed in me,” Carson said Tuesday night. “I look forward to serving them for a full two-year term in the Georgia House of Representatives.”

What does the Cobb Chamber leadership do now ? Thye turned their back on a pro-business up and comer and endorsed a Obama supporing anti-business liberal. I am discussed at the Cobb Chamber leader, Mr.Connel, Mr. Britton and Mr. Garcia, what were y'all thinking ?! I guess Chamber of COMMERCE no longer means business support. I encourage all members of th Cobb Chamber who are pro-business and expec the good ole boys leadership to be should turn in their membership cards and/or demand that we clean house and take back OUR chamber !

From this most recent boneheaded move (backing Stoner), to the Chambers unwise support of the failed TSPLOST, to advocating Tim "the tax man" Lee's property tax increases, the lame leadership at the Chamber have shown their true colors time and again.

RINO's !!!!

Tim from Cobb

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November 12, 2012

Well said.

Seven One Four

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November 07, 2012

I just looked at the Cobb Election returns on the Secretary of State website and it had Stoner winning.

Name one contract that Croy won because of Doug that makes them the majority recipient of SPOLOST money. Can't? I thought so.

Too bad you don't consider all the conflicts of interest on the Republican side worth mentioning. From the top down, the corruption is obvious and public.

TIC

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November 07, 2012

@ mk

I doubt there was an actual legal conflict, but it certainly gave the perception of being a questionable relationship.

Let's see if Croy keeps him on for any length of time now that he doesn't have the inside track as an elected official.

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